Strawberry Plant Named &#39;NSG 207&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant, herein referred to by its cultivar name, ‘NSG 207’, is provided which forms in abundance attractive semi-early-ripening large, medium red primarily conical to slightly rhomboid fruit having firm flesh that is longer than broad in configuration. The growth habit is upright. Medium vigor and medium density is exhibited. White inflorescence is displayed. Commonly a calyx is displayed which is slightly larger than the diameter of the corolla when open. The new variety is particularly well suited for the commercial industry.

Botanical/commercial classification: Latin name—Fragaria x ananassaDuchesne ex Rozier Common name—Strawberry Plant VarietalDenomination—‘NSG 207’

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Community Plant Variety RightsApplication Number 2018/1110 which was filed in European Union throughCommunity Plant Variety Office on Apr. 23, 2018, of which the content ofis hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety for allpurposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new and distinct short-day strawberry plant variety of the presentinvention was the product of a controlled breeding program that wascarried out at Nova Siri (MT), Italy located at 40° 08′ 40″ N-16° 39′40″ E and 10 meters above sea level, wherein two parents were crossedwhich previously had been studied in the hope that they would contributethe desired characteristics. The female parent (i.e., the seed parent)was the SIRIS variety (non-patented in the United States and EuropeanUnion Community Plant Variety Rights No. 34843), which is a strawberryvariety plant with medium late-season yield and produces fruit with veryhigh contents of sugar and exhibits high tolerance to infection byfungus, such as Phytophthora cactorum and Colletotrichum acutatum. Themale parent (i.e., pollen parent) was the 488P.11.10 variety, which wasinitially designated as ‘07-366’ (not patented in the United States orEurope and not released), which is a strawberry variety with early tomedium season yield, produces very high yield and large primary andsecondary fruits.

The parentage can be summarized as follows:

‘SIRIS’×‘488P.11.10’.

The seeds resulting from the above pollination were sown and smallplants were obtained which were physically different from each other.Selective study and testing resulted in the identification of a singleshort-day strawberry plant of the new variety.

It was found that the new strawberry plant of the present inventionpossesses the following combination of characteristics:

(a) exhibits a medium vigor, medium density, and an upright growthhabit,

(b) displays, on an early basis, white inflorescence at a levelgenerally above the foliage,

(c) commonly displays a calyx that is slightly larger than the diameterof the corolla when open, and

(d) forms in abundance attractive semi-early-ripening large, medium redprimarily conical to slightly rhomboid fruit having firm flesh that islonger than broad in configuration.

The new variety well meets the needs of the horticultural industry. Thenew variety possesses characteristics that commonly are sought bycommercial strawberry growers. For example, the new variety providesuniform attractive firm medium red, medium-ripening fruit in goodyields, wherein the fruit has good shelf-life. Accordingly, the newvariety is considered promising for commercial introduction. The newvariety requires an induction period for flowering. This may be achievedby growing in a colder climate away from the equator or at a higheraltitude above sea level.

The new variety can be readily distinguished from its ancestors. Morespecifically, the ‘SIRIS’ variety (i.e., the seed parent) displaysshorter inflorescence than the new variety and exhibits leaflets withcrenate margin and the color of the upper surface is commonly near GreenGroup 141A to Green Group 141B, whereas the new variety displaysleaflets with serrate to crenate margin and the color is commonly nearGreen Group 143A to Green Group 143B. Additionally, the ‘488P.11.10’variety (i.e., the pollen parent) provides very vigorous vegetation andexhibits a calyx and corolla which are of similar size, whereas the newvariety provides medium vigor vegetation and exhibits a calyx which hasa larger diameter than the diameter of the corolla. Moreover, the newvariety can be readily distinguished from non-parental related similarvarieties. For example, the ‘Sabrosa’ variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No.16,558) provides fruit with a medium sized inner cavity and exhibits acalyx and corolla which are of similar size, whereas the new varietyprovides fruit with a small to absent inner cavity and exhibits a calyxwhich has a larger diameter than the diameter of the corolla.

The new variety has been found to undergo asexual propagation in Polandand Italy by a number of routes, including by use of stolons and invitro tissue culture. Specifically, the new variety has been asexuallyreproduced by the use of stolons at Zielona Gora-Ochla, Poland locatedat 51° 848 N-15° 447 E and at Nova Siri (MT), Italy by in vitro tissueculture. No rooting problems were observed. The combination ofcharacteristics exhibited by the new variety has been found to be stableand reliably transmitted to succeeding generations following suchasexual reproduction. Accordingly, the new variety undergoes asexualpropagation in a true-to-type manner by such asexual reproduction.

The new variety has been named ‘NSG 207’. The new plant varietyinitially was designated as 488.P.14.207.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show, as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same in color illustrations of this character,typical specimens of the new variety. The illustrated strawberry plantsof the new variety were asexually reproduced from stolons and wereplanted under the cover of plastic tunnels during mid-October 2017 atNova Siri (MT), Italy located at 40° 08′ 40″ N-16° 39′ 40″ E at 10meters above sea level.

FIG. 1—illustrates a semi-upright flowering and fruiting plant on Mar.18, 2018, wherein the newly formed flowers are commonly disposed abovethe foliage.

FIG. 2—illustrates rows of early fruiting plants on Jan. 23, 2018,wherein abundant early fruit production is apparent.

FIG. 3—illustrates a row of fruiting plants on Mar. 8, 2018, whereinuniform vegetation, newly formed flowers, and generally uniform fruitapparent.

FIG. 4—illustrates a specimen of a three-leaflet leaf—upper surface(designate in image as 488.P.14.207). Dimensions in centimeters andinches are included.

FIG. 5—illustrates a specimen of a typical three-leaflet leaf—undersurface (designate in image as 488.P.14.207). Dimensions in centimetersand inches are included.

FIG. 6—illustrates specimens of a typical petioles and stipules—closeview (designate in image as 488.P.14.207), wherein anthocyanincoloration is apparant. Dimensions in centimeters and inches areincluded.

FIG. 7—illustrates specimens of flowers—top, close view (designate inimage as 488.P.14.207). Dimensions in centimeters and inches areincluded.

FIG. 8—illustrates specimens of flowers—below, close view (designate inimage as 488.P.14.207). Dimensions in centimeters and inches areincluded.

FIG. 9—illustrates specimens of petals of the flowers (designate inimage as 488.P.14.207). Dimensions in centimeters and inches areincluded.

FIG. 10—illustrates specimens of whole inflorescences, includingpeduncle, pedicel, and leaf (designate in image as 488.P.14.207).Dimensions in centimeters and inches are included.

FIG. 11—illustrates specimens of bouquets of fruit, wherein the ensembleof peduncle, pedicels and mature fruits is shown and wherein thedifference of sizes between primary and secondary fruits is apparent(designate in image as 488.P.14.207). Dimensions in centimeters andinches are included.

FIG. 12—illustrates specimens of mature fruit—whole (designate in imageas 488.P.14.207). Dimensions in centimeters and inches are included.

FIG. 13—illustrates specimens of mature fruit—internal sections(designate in image as 488.P.14.207). Dimensions in centimeters andinches are included.

FIG. 14—illustrates specimen of runners (stolons) on Jul. 30, 2018.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The chart used in the identification of colors is that of The RoyalHorticultural Society (“R.H.S.” Colour Chart), London, England, EditionV. The terminology which precedes reference to the chart has been addedto indicate the corresponding color in more common terms. Thedescription is based on plants which were reproduced asexually by theuse of stolons in open field at Zielona Gora, Poland located at 51° 848N-15° 447 E and growing under the cover of plastic tunnels at Nova Siri(MT), Italy located at 40° 08′ 40″ N-16° 39′ 40″ E and 10 meters abovesea level.

-   Plant:    -   -   Type.—Short-day.        -   Configuration.—Upright and semi-dense.        -   Vigor.—Medium.        -   Leaflets.—Number: commonly 3. — size: medium in size,            approximately 8.7 cm in length on average, and approximately            8.7 cm in width on average. — terminal leaflet: commonly the            same size in length and width, possesses a generally concave            cross-section, possesses a serrate to crenate margin, and an            acute base. — blistering: commonly is medium to strong in            quantity. — glossiness on the upper surface: medium. —            color: variegated coloration commonly is absent; upper            surface coloration commonly being near Green Group 143A to            Green Group N143B; and under surface commonly being near            Green Group 138B to Green Group 138C.        -   Stolons.—Medium in quantity, sparse pubescence in density,            and anthocyanin color is commonly near Red-Purple Group 59B            to Red-Purple Group 59C.        -   Petioles.—Approximately 15 cm to 18 cm in length on average,            color is commonly near Yellow-Green Group 144C to            Yellow-Green Group 144B, and commonly bear generally            horizontally disposed fine pubescence.        -   Stipules.—Approximately 2.5 cm to 3.2 cm in length on            average, and commonly bear weak to medium anthocyanin            coloration of near Red-Purple Group 62A to Red-Purple Group            62B.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Flowering time.—Early.        -   Flower disposition.—Generally above the foliage.        -   Flower number.—Medium, commonly 4 to 8.        -   Pedicel hairs.—Pubescence generally disposed somewhat            upwards.        -   Pedicel color.—Commonly near Yellow-Green Group 144C to            Yellow-Green Group 144B.        -   Size.—Large, with primary flowers approximately 3.8 cm to            4.5 cm in diameter on average, and secondary flowers            approximately 3.0 cm to 3.8 cm in diameter on average,            commonly the open calyx is larger than the diameter; and the            length of the inflorescence is approximately 30 cm to 40 cm            on average.        -   Petals.—Number: approximately 5 to 6 on average,            typically 6. — arrangement and shape: generally touching to            overlapping, the relationship of the length to the width            being slightly longer, and rounded apex. — size:            approximately 12 mm on average in length and approximately            10 mm in width on average. — color: commonly near White            Group NN155C to White Group NN155D on the upper surface.        -   Anthers.—Number is approximately 23 to 28 on average,            commonly disposed above the stamen, and color is commonly            near Yellow-Orange Group 14A to Yellow-Orange Group 14B.        -   Pollen.—In abundance.        -   Sepals.—Shape: generally lanceolate in configuration and            somewhat outwardly disposed. — number: Approximately 9 to 14            on average. — size: approximately 15 mm to 20 mm in length            on average, and approximately 5 mm to 8 mm in width on            average at the broadest point in primary flowers; and            approximately 12 mm to 15 mm in length on average and            approximately 4 mm to 6 mm in width at the broadest point on            average in secondary flowers. — color: the upper surface is            commonly near Green Group 141C to Green Group 141D and the            under surface is commonly near Green Group 143A to Green            Group 143B.-   Fruit:    -   -   Bearing.—Non-remontant.        -   Timing.—Early fruiting commonly with approximately 28 to 32            days from first blooming to first fruit ripening.        -   Shape.—Conical to slightly rhomboid, slightly longer than            broad, commonly with a medium difference between terminal            and the other fruits.        -   Size.—Large, with the primary fruit approximately 5.5 cm to            7.5 cm in length on average; approximately 3.5 cm to 3.9 cm            in width on average at the broadest point; and approximately            25.7 grams on average.        -   Surface.—Slightly uneven texture with strong glossiness.        -   External color.—Substantially uniform commonly near            Orange-Red Group 33A to Orange-Red Group 34A.        -   Internal color.—Flesh is commonly near Orange-Red Group 30B            to Orange-Red Group 30A, and the core is commonly near            Orange-Red Group 32B to Orange-Red Group 32C.        -   Firmness.—Good firmness.        -   Cavity.—Very small to absent fruit cavity, as illustrated in            FIG. 13.        -   Achenes.—Located generally below the fruit surface and cover            nearly the entire fruit surface commonly with only a very            narrow band (if any) where achenes are absent, and commonly            near Orange-Red Group 30B to Orange-Red Group 34A in            coloration, depending of fruit maturity.        -   Calyx.—Commonly slightly raised at the point of attachment,            the calyx commonly attaches to the fruit with medium            adherence, the sepals are disposed generally outwards, calyx            typically extends beyond the overlapping petals when open,            the fruit diameter and the calyx diameter are commonly            equal, and the diameter of the open calyx is commonly            greater to that of the corolla.        -   Peduncle.—Very long, approximately 25 cm to 35 cm in length            on average including pedicel and flowers, and color is            commonly near Yellow-Green Group 144B to Yellow-Green Group            144C.        -   Pedicel.—Commonly with pubescence extending upwards, and            color is commonly near Yellow-Green Group 144C to            Yellow-Green Group 144B.-   Development:    -   -   Fertilization.—Self-fertile.        -   Resistance to disease.—During the time of observations and            to date, no sensitivities to any disease were observed.

Plants of the ‘NSG 207’ variety have not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it is possiblethat the phenotypic expression may vary somewhat with changes in lightintensity and duration, cultural practices, and other environmentalconditions.

SUPPLEMENTAL COMPARATIVE DATA

Hereafter, additional comparative fruit data is provided for the newvariety, the ‘Sabrosa’ variety, the ‘488.P.11.10’ variety (i.e., themale parent) and the ‘SIRIS’ variety (i.e., the female variety). Theplants were asexually reproduced by the use of stolons in 2017 atZielona Gora-Ochla, Poland located at 51° 848 N-15° 447 E, and plantedin field on Oct. 15, 2017. All varieties were grown under the cover ofplastic tunnels at Nova Siri (MT), Italy located at 40° 08′ 40″ N-16°39′ 40″ E (10 meters above sea level). The fruit were evaluated andcompared on the dates indicated. Average data is as follow:

TABLE 1 Accumulated Production of First Quality Fruit (g/plant) varietyFebruary 30^(th) March 30^(th) April 30^(th) May 30^(th) ‘NSG 207’ 26243 501 615 ‘Sabrosa’ 25 129 270 510

TABLE 2 Overall Comparison of Average Fruit Weight variety g/fruit ‘NSG207’ 25.70 ‘Siris’ 21.50 ‘488.P.11.10’ 24.00 ‘Sabrosa’ 22.70

TABLE 3 Average Fruit Weight on Specified Dates March 30^(th) April30^(th) May 30^(th) variety (grams) (grams) (grams) ‘NSG 207’ 27.4 25.122.3 ‘Siris’ 23.7 20.5 20.0 ‘488.P.11.10’ 26.1 24.5 23.0 ‘Sabrosa’ 24.421.0 20.4

TABLE 4 Fruit Analysis on May 30, 2018 ‘NSG 207’ ‘Sabrosa’ ‘488.P.11.10’‘SIRIS’ Firmness (average)* 0.79 0.74 0.60 0.80 Dry Matter (%)** 8.638.95 7.80 8.50 pH (to 20°) 3.51 3.81 3.55 3.75 Acidity as Anhydride 0.710.88 0.75 0.80 Citric (%) Soluble Solids (% Brix) 7.8 9.48 8.27 9.85Maturity Index *** 11.00 10.77 11.02 12.31 *Resistance to penetrationmeasured in kilograms using a Turoni (Italy) pentrometer (20 Kg × 0.01).**Weight of residue from the titration of the fruit after drying at 103°C. until a constant weight is achieved. *** Relation between solublesolids and acidity anhydride.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct strawberry plant characterized by thefollowing combination of characteristics: (a) exhibits a medium vigor,medium density, and an upright growth habit, (b) displays, on an earlybasis, white inflorescence at a level generally above the foliage, (c)commonly displays a calyx that is slightly larger than the diameter ofthe corolla when open, and (d) forms in abundance attractivesemi-early-ripening large, medium red primarily conical to slightlyrhomboid fruit having firm flesh that is longer than broad inconfiguration; substantially as herein shown and described.